Former industrial and mining communities across the UK are still living with the effects of economic decline that began half a century ago, according to a major new report from the Social Mobility Commission.
The Commission’s latest State of the Nation report — the most comprehensive analysis of social mobility data in the UK — finds that “left behind communities” are experiencing deep-rooted and long-standing disadvantages, driven largely by geography rather than ability or aspiration.
Areas across Yorkshire, the North East, the Midlands, Wales and Scotland have faced decades of reduced investment, fewer job opportunities and weaker economic growth following deindustrialisation, the report says. As a result, children growing up in these regions are significantly more likely to experience poorer educational outcomes and limited career prospects.
The Commission describes these inequalities as “extreme regional differences”, creating what it calls a postcode lottery of opportunity. Where someone grows up continues to shape their chances of success well into adulthood, the report finds.
Rising concern over young people not in work or education
One of the most pressing issues highlighted is the growing number of young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Between 2022 and 2024, around one in seven young people — 14 per cent — fell into this category.
Socio-economic background plays a decisive role. Young people from working-class backgrounds are more than twice as likely to be NEET, with rates at 22 per cent, compared with just 9 per cent among those from professional families.
The report also warns that the educational “disadvantage gap” at age 16 has yet to recover from the pandemic. The gap in attainment between pupils from higher and lower socio-economic backgrounds widened during Covid-19 and shows little sign of closing.
Professional jobs increase, but gaps widen
While there have been improvements in parts of the labour market, the benefits are not shared equally. Nearly half of 25 to 29-year-olds are now in professional roles, rising from 36.1 per cent in 2014-16 to 48.2 per cent in 2022-24.
However, the gap between those from privileged and less-privileged backgrounds entering professional jobs has grown sharply, widening from 15 per cent to 23 per cent over the same period.
Overall economic activity among 25 to 29-year-olds has increased to 87.5 per cent, but disparities linked to socio-economic background persist. Women from lower socio-economic backgrounds continue to face particularly significant barriers, with lower activity rates than women from higher backgrounds and men from similar socio-economic groups.
Regional bright spots emerge
Despite the challenges, the Commission identifies several areas showing promise for future growth and innovation. Cities and regions including Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Cheshire West and Chester, Edinburgh, Oxfordshire, Reading, West Berkshire and Manchester are highlighted as emerging economic hotspots.
These areas are described as successful in attracting international businesses and highly skilled workers, offering examples of what targeted investment and long-term planning can achieve.
UK mobility compared internationally
International comparisons show that the UK performs relatively well in educational mobility, alongside countries such as France and Japan, where young people have a good chance of exceeding their parents’ level of education.
However, job mobility in the UK mirrors trends seen in Germany and Sweden, with fewer people moving into higher-level roles as growth in professional occupations slows.
Call for faster action
Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said the concentration of opportunity in a small number of places is holding the country back.
“It is part of the cycle of innovation and economic development that opportunities move around,” he said. “But in our country they have become over-concentrated in specific places. Far too many live and grow up in communities where opportunity has become very limited and outcomes are poor.
“We are seeing signs of positive change — with cities like Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester showing what is possible — but the pace of change needs to be quicker and the scale much bigger.
“In the meantime, entire communities, often in post-industrial and seaside towns, have been left behind with deep-rooted disadvantages. This is the defining social mobility challenge of our generation.”
What success means to the public
The report follows recent research by the Commission into how people in Britain define success. The findings suggest that security, health and a sense of connection matter more to most people than high pay or professional status.
More than three in four people describe themselves as belonging to the same social class as their parents, indicating that class identity remains deeply ingrained. The research also found that those already at the top of the social ladder are more focused on upward mobility than those at the bottom.
The Commission is calling on policymakers to go “further and faster” in addressing inequality, warning that without sustained action, regional and social divides will continue to widen.